Notre Dame Grad Brings Down Tressel!

Many of you probably didn't know that the last sportswriter to ever win a Pulitzer Prize is George Dohrmann, who is a 1995 graduate of the University of Notre Dame.  George won it in 2000 while working for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

And, it's the same George Dohrmann who did all of the investigative work that led to the Sports Illustrated cover story that is credited with moving the Ohio State University's senior leadership team to ask for Jim Tressel's investigation.  Here's a link to George's story about Coach Tressel's time in Columbus:

LINK:  THE STORY THAT CHANGED THE FACE OF FOOTBALL IN OHIO

College FB Players Getting $17,000 In Cash!

If you've been following the news recently -- there has been plenty of conversation about "paying" college athletes over and above their scholarships.  Well, according to this informative story linked below -- a college football player can receive up to $17,040 in CASH from their athletic department and our government each year -- and not be in violation with NCAA rules. 

CASH THAT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE REPAID!

ND football fans will enjoy this story.  It was an eye opener for me!

LINK:  FOOTBALL PLAYERS RECEIVE CASH -- PLENTY OF IT!

Tressel Is Out -- What's NEXT For tO$U?

I wonder what the editorial cartoonist at the Cleveland Plain Dealer will be drawing for tomorrow morning's edition in light of the "VEST'S" forced resignation in Columbus?

So, was it the crime or was it the cover up that led to Jim Tressel's problems at Ohio State?  It should be both - the question now is how tough will BANK NCAA be on the folks in Ohio?

Will Notre Dame alum and Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith survive?

It is going to make for great internet fodder these next few months!

LINK:  COLUMBUS DISPATCH COVERAGE

Our National Guard Deserved Better!

You would have thought on Memorial Day Weekend in America that race cars sponsored by the NATIONAL GUARD would have fared better than they did yesterday!  Now I know this isn't a Notre Dame story, but on MEMORIAL DAY it's a story I couldn't pass up...

In an eight-hour period Sunday -- at the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 -- cars sponsored by the National Guard were comfortably in the lead at both tracks with less than a 1/4 lap remaining in each race.  Big leads turned into BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!

At Indianapolis Motor Speedway, rookie driver JR Hildebrand was leading the race on the last lap, all he had to do was finish the final turn and cross the finish line for victory.  HIS NATIONAL GUARD CAR HIT THE WALL!  See the link below to the video of the end of this race.

And, at Charlotte Motor Speedway last night Dale Earnhardt JR was leading the race on the last lap, all he had to do was finish the final turn and cross the finish line for victory.  HIS NATIONAL GUARD CARE RAN OUT OF GAS!  See the link below to the video of the end of this race.

Think about it -- both NATIONAL GUARD cars had big leads going into the final turn at both race tracks -- both drivers had JR in their names -- and both cars didn't win on Memorial Day Weekend.  Coincidence?

LINK:  LAST LAP OF INDIANAPOLIS 500

LINK:  JR HILDEBRAND INTERVIEW

LINK:  LAST LAP OF COCA-COLA 600 

LINK:  DALE EARNHARDT JR INTERVIEW

Darby Dominates Maryland State Track Meet!

University of Notre Dame football commitment Ronald Darby -- who's a junior at Potomac High School -- is racing this weekend at the Maryland High School Track & Field State Championship.

You'll find links below to a video of Ronald winning the 100 Meter Dash (10.37 official time) -- it's the third race on the video.  A video of his win in the 200 Meter Dash (20.88 official time) -- a video of his anchor leg win in the 4 x 100 Relay and his anchor leg win in the 4 x 200 Relay win.

FYI:  Both of these times would be among the top 50 in the current NCAA Division 1 rankings for the 100 Meters and 200 Meters this season.  Don't forget he's a junior in high school!

An additional point of reference -- a 20.88 would be the second fastest time ever run by a Notre Dame student-athlete in the 200 Meters.  Only one ND track athlete has ever run under a 20.90 in the 200 meters in school history. 

•  2011 Big East Championship Time in 200 Meters:  21.05
• 2011 Big East Championship Time in 100 Meters:  10.44

Ronald competed in four events (4X100 Meter Relay and 4X200 Meter Relay as well) -- winning a State Championship in each race.  Congratulations!

LINK:  DARBY WINS 100 METERS

LINK:  DARBY DOMINATES 200 METERS

LINK:  DARBY'S ANCHOR LEG OF 4X200 METER RELAY

LINK:  DARBY'S ANCHOR LEG OF 4X100 METER RELAY

LINK:  DARBY INTERVIEW

LINK:  NEWS STORY

The Real Fightin' Irish of Notre Dame!

The University of Notre Dame's Army ROTC Fightin' Irish Battalion has more than 80 cadets -- who are on a chosen journey to defend our freedom.   

On this Memorial Day Weekend in America I thought it was fitting to showcase the real FIGHTIN' IRISH of Notre Dame.  Thank you for making this commitment to our country!

The photo is from this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City.  Here's a link to their official website:

LINK:  THE FIGHTIN' IRISH BATTALION

Luke Zeller Back Home in Indiana

Found this article this morning about former Notre Dame basketball player Luke Zeller.  Some of you may recall that Luke was a former Mr. Basketball in Indiana before he enrolled at the University of Notre Dame.  Since graduation, Luke has been playing pro basketball in Europe, Japan and the NBA Developmental League.  This past week Luke and his family were back home in Indiana -- here's a link to that story:

LINK:  LUKE ZELLER BACK HOME

LINK:  ZELLER'S PRO STATS

Notre Dame's Rumored Helmet for Michigan

This photo is being routed around the internet as Notre Dame's rumored helmet for the September 10th "throw back" game at Michigan.  While it's not exactly what the IRISH wore during the Kuharich years -- it's close enough.  I have to admit I'm not a big fan of the green facemask...  Looks like what Baylor wears.

Brian Kelly Makin' Changes To His Irish

University of Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly has made some position changes since Spring Practice that will be interesting to watch this August when he gets back at practice with the Irish.  Here's a link to a South Bend Tribune story on this very subject:

LINK:  CHANGIN' THE IRISH

The Ad Campaign for ESPN's College Network

I've spent much of my career telling stories for brands.

A marketing campaign for ESPNU -- ESPN's college sports network -- called "NEVER GRADUATE" caught my attention.  Its intent is to tell alums and fans of college sports team that they can always feed their passion for their school at ESPNU.

I get it.

Yet, my first reaction to the campaign was this;  "Why would a TV network that is devoted exclusively to college athletics, create the tagline; NEVER GRADUATE?

Then I realized ESPN doesn't care if student-athletes ever graduate from college -- they just care if these entertainers (excuse me, student-athletes) provide them with great programming while they're on campus over a one to five year period of their life.  They could care less about the next forty to fifty years of the lives of these student-athletes.

I get it.

While I fully understand it's not ESPN's role in life to make sure student-athletes graduate from college -- that's up to the universities and the NCAA they send checks to.  I would have thought there might be one senior executive in Bristol, CT who would have determined this isn't the best message to associate with college athletics:  NEVER GRADUATE. 

Unfortunately, they don't "have" to get it -- they just have to get you to tune-in.

Spirit of Notre Dame -- $2 Billion!

The University of Notre Dame is celebrating one of the most successful capital campaigns in the history of higher education.  Over the past seven years, the Spirit of Notre Dame campaign has raised more than $2 BILLION -- the first time a university without a medical school has ever raised this much money.  Congratulations Notre Dame!

Catholic Charities Honors Father Ted

Catholic Charities honored legendary University of Notre Dame president Father Hesburgh at their annual event in Boston.  Father Ted couldn't make the event, so Father Jenkins accepted the award on his behalf.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  CATHOLIC CHARITIES HONORS FATHER TED

Ohioans -- Drop Your Subscription Today!

This cartoon ran yesterday in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  Just goes to show you how "low" this paper will go to support their troubled coach and in-state college football team. 

Drawing a comparison between Declan Sullivan's tragic death and Ohio State's knowingly breaking the rules -- AN ALL TIME LOW IN JOURNALISM.   If you still call it that in Ohio. 

I trust Notre Dame fans will do the right thing with the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Athlon Ranks the Irish #6 in Preseason Poll!

It hasn't taken Brian Kelly and crew very long to garner some national respect.  Today, Athlon Sports listed the University of Notre Dame as the 6th best college football team in America in their pre-season ranking of the 2011 season.  Here's a link:

LINK:  ATHLON SPORTS

ND Professor Wins Publishing Award

University of Notre Dame historian Thomas F.X. Noble was awarded the 2011 Otto Grundler Book Prize from Western Michigan University.  The award is given annually to a top author of medieval studies as judged by a selection committee of peers.  This is a big deal.  Congratulations!

LINK:  THOMAS NOBLE WINS AWARD!

247 Sports' Bill King Talks Notre Dame

Ran across this today of Bill King interviewing Blue & Gold Illustrated's Lou Somogyi.  Thought you'd enjoy this conversation:

LINK:  BILL KING TALKIN' NOTRE DAME

Looks Like USC's Appeal Was Denied By NCAA

Notre Dame fans will be glad to know that the school in Los Angeles that recently lost a Heisman Trophy and a National Championship apparently lost their most important battle yet -- with the NCAA.  The University of Southern California will now have to deal with the scholarship reductions and other penalties -- that they had ignored this past recruiting cycle.  It's going to get interesting!  Here's the link:

LINK:  NCAA DENIES USC'S APPEAL

Briak Kelly On Mike Floyd's Status With Team

The South Bend Tribune interviewed Brian Kelly this week to discuss the Mike Floyd situation.  The Sporting News decided to make it their lead story today on their College Football home page -- please be sure to check out their links to other stories on this very subject.  Here's a link:

LINK:  BRIAN KELLY TALKS MIKE FLOYD

Sports Illustrated's Post Spring Top 25

Fighting Irish fans will be "luke warm" with Sports Illustrated's rankings released today of the TOP 25 football teams in the country.  Here's the link:

LINK:  SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S TOP 25 FOOTBALL TEAMS

Mike Lee Rumored to Fight at ND in September!

There are rumors that ND alum Mike Lee 09' and Top Rank Boxing are in conversations with the University of Notre Dame about scheduling a fight at Purcell Pavillion the night before the Michigan State football game.  Wouldn't that be cool!

We just need to put the ex-MSU football player who planted the flag in Notre Dame Stadium in the ring with Mike that night!

Lee, who's 5 - 0 as a pro boxer has a fight coming up on July 9th at the Home Depot Center outside of Los Angeles.  The ND GO IRISH BLOG will stay on top of this story.  Here's a link to Mike's website:

LINK:  MIKE LEE'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE

He's Now Officially "Dr. Lou" -- Congratulations!

Former Irish hall of fame football coach Lou Holtz received an honorary degree this Sunday from the University of Notre Dame.  Congratulations Dr. Lou!

Photo of the Day -- Jimmy Clausen Graduates!

Carolina Panthers QB Jimmy Clausen came back to South Bend this past semester to finish up his degree from the Univesity of Notre Dame.  Photo taken by ND's Matt Cashore

Giving Back -- David Bruton's Story

Former Notre Dame safety -- and now Denver Bronco safety David Bruton is keeping busy during the NFL lockout by teaching in his hometown of Miamisburg, OH.  The Denver Post caught up with the Irish alum who is getting paid $90 a day in this new "part time" career.  Thought you'd enjoy this story:


LINK:  SUBSTITUTE TEACHING DURING LOCKOUT

It's Notre Dame vs. Duke Today at 2:30 PM EST

In a rematch of last year's National Championship game -- the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame take on the Duke Blue Devils at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA with the winner advancing to the Division 1 Men's Lacrosse FINAL FOUR next weekend in Baltimore.  The game will be televised LIVE on ESPNU.  The Irish beat Duke earlier this season 12 - 7.   Here's a link to a preview of today's matchup:  GO IRISH!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. DUKE

ND's Coach Alford Doing the Right Thing

The Pacheco family in Sarasota is struggling today -- their eight year old daughter was hit and killed in a car accident Monday evening -- trying to cross a street.  One of the first on the scene was Notre Dame football coach Tony Alford, who was in town recruiting for the Fighting Irish.  I'm going to leave the rest of the story to the South Bend Tribune -- here's the link:

LINK:  THANK YOU COACH ALFORD

Tom Lemming Updates ND Football Recruiting

The folks at Weekday SportsBeat at 960 AM in South Bend had high school football recruiting guru Tom Lemming as a guest yesterday.  Lemming spoke about ND's current recruiting class and future prospects and his new Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl which will take place in Phoenix during the Fiesta Bowl Week activities.  Here's the link:


LINK:  LEMMING TALKS NOTRE DAME

LINK:  SEMPER FIDELIS ALL-AMERICAN BOWL

ND's Live Web Broadcast of Commencement

If you're looking for something "engaging" on the worldwide web this weekend you just might want to tune in to the University of Notre Dame's live web stream of events taking place this 2011 Commencement Weekend.  If you have never seen the Commencement Mass at Notre Dame -- you just might want to tune-in today at 4:40 PM.  IT IS THAT SPECIAL.   Here's the schedule of live events:

Today / Saturday Schedule:

• 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM -- Graduate School Commencement Ceremony  

• 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM -- ROTC Commissioning Ceremony

• 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM -- Service Send-off Ceremony

• 4:40 PM to 6:30 PM --  Commencement Mass and Academic Procession

HERE'S THE LINK TO TUNE-IN TODAY:  LIVE WEB STREAM

Tomorrow / Sunday Schedule:

• 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM -- University Commencement and Academic Procession, LIVE from Notre Dame Stadium

HERE'S THE LINK TO TUNE-IN SUNDAY:  LIVE WEB STREAM

Domer Finishes Run Across America Today!

Jeff Grabosky became the 43rd individual to ever run from "coast to coast" this afternoon at 1:50 PM EST.  The 3,709 mile run took 120 days for this member of the ND Class of 2005 -- ending on Long Island, NY at the Atlantic Ocean!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Here's a link to Jeff's website:  JEFF RUNS AMERICA

Jack Swarbrick Talks Notre Dame Athletics

University of Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick met with the Observer (ND's school newspaper) to talk about the future of ND's Athletic Department.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  NEXT FOR NOTRE DAME!

Michigan's Throwback Jersey For ND Game

Irish fans may recall that Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly let the word out early about the uniforms that Michigan would be wearing in their first ever night game against ND on September 10th.

I was told by a friend close to Michigan AD David Brandon that he was not very happy (an understatement) with Coach Kelly and Notre Dame that they scooped the Wolverines.

Here's what their jerseys might look like -- there is a NCAA rule that you must have an 8" inch number on the jersey front.

Coach Kelly Makes Gift to Alabama Residents

I'm not surprised that Brian Kelly would feel the need to help out Alabama.  ND fans will feel good after reading this story about Coach Kelly who was in Bama to meet with a Notre Dame Club:

LINK:  KELLY MAKES GIFTS TO ALABAMA

Isn't the SEC Already Paying Their Athletes?

I find this discussion to be the final leap by Athletic Directors and College Presidents to the "dark side." 

Should athletes be paid over and above their scholarship? 

How can schools in the Big East, Mid American Conference, Conference USA,  etc., financially justify paying their athletes over and above the scholarships, coaching salaries, travel, etc., when they don't fill their stadiums every Saturday?  Is BANK NCAA coming to the rescue?  Here's a link to the conversation:

LINK:  IS THIS GOOD FOR COLLEGE ATHLETICS?

Irish Hoops Recruit Picked As A Big Surprise!

Pat Connaughton committed to play for Mike Brey and the Fighting Irish this past recruiting season -- and he's been picked by ESPN experts as one of the BIGGEST SURPRISES out of the Class of 2011.  (Pat is also an ALL-STAR baseball pitcher).   Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  ONE OF THE BIGGEST SURPRISES

Jeff Samardzija Goes to 3 - 0 With the Cubs!

Former Notre Dame football and baseball star Jeff Samardzija pitched two scoreless innings tonight in the Cubs win over the Marlins.  Samardzija struck out three and gave up one hit -- getting his third win on the season -- in relief of Cub's starter Ryan Dempster.

Jeff has now appeared in seventeen games for the Cubs this season -- giving up zero runs in 13 of those appearances!  His ERA is now at 2.96 for the season.  Here's a link to Jeff's updated season stats:

LINK:  JEFF SAMARDZIJA STATS

The 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses

Notre Dame fans won't be pleased where the campus of the University of Notre Dame ended up on this list.  You be the judge:

LINK:  50 MOST BEAUTIFUL CAMPUSES

Ryan Grant Fulfills His Promise to WI School

Former Notre Dame running back and current Green Bay Packer, Ryan Grant, fulfilled a promise he made to Burlington Catholic Central High School that he would pay for their high school prom.  Here's a link to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story and the deal he cut with the school:

LINK:  RYAN GRANT'S A MAN OF HIS WORD

Notre Dame Says "NO" to Made In China

The only school in America that has told their Licensees -- NO PRODUCTS CARRYING OUR MARKS MADE IN CHINA -- is the University of Notre Dame.  ND fans will find this story quite interesting:

LINK:  THIS DECISION WAS MADE TEN YEARS AGO

Lou Nanni -- A Notre Dame Man!

I found this article this evening in the South Bend Tribune.  It speaks a little about a man I've gotten to know over the past twelve months.  His name is Lou Nanni '84 and he's the Vice President for University Relations at the University of Notre Dame.  He has one of the greatest jobs on this planet -- and Notre Dame couldn't have found a more deserving MAN for this role.

Lou's convictions (as you'll see in this South Bend Tribune story) makes Notre Dame -- NOTRE DAME, to many.  Enjoy!

LINK:  WALKING THE WALK

Majority Leader Boehner -- Tells a Faust Story

John Boehner, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives was given an honorary degree this weekend at Catholic University.  During his speech to the graduates he spoke of a call he received from former Notre Dame football coach Gerry Faust.  Thought IRISH fans would get a kick out of this:

LINK:  BOEHNER AND COACH FAUST

Darby's National Championship Win -- Video

Here's a video of Ronald Darby's winning the 200 meters at the New Balance Indoor Nationals -- the win makes him National Champion in this event!  Darby, who has already verbally committed to play for the Fighting Irish after his upcoming senior season, has one of the fastest times in the world in this event.  Here's the link to the video:

LINK:  DARBY'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RUN

ILLUSTRATION OF THE DAY

Thought you would enjoy this!

A Sixteen Mile Bike Ride to Work @ ND

His name is Rich Forrester and he lives in Buchannan, MI -- sixteen miles from his workplace at the University of Notre Dame.  A route he'll bike from time to time.  The South Bend Tribune caught up with Rich and his bike, here's the story:

LINK:  RICH FORRESTER AND HIS BIKE

Tyler Eiffert Goes Home -- A Nice Story

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette caught up with Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eiffert while he's home between semesters.  You'll enjoy this story:

LINK:  EIFFERT GOES HOME

ND Offers a HS Sophomore Star in Georgia!

Brian Kelly & Company have definitely changed Notre Dame's approach to recruiting.  Charlie Weis typically offered 35 to 40 kids and never until after their junior season.  Well, there's a new sheriff in town and he's offering every talented football player in the country whether they're in ninth, tenth or eleventh grade.

Trey Johnson, a sophomore linebacker out of Central Gwinnett High School in Lawrencevill, GA -- is the latest underclassmen to be offered by the IRISH.  Here's a link to his highlight video from this past season:

LINK:  TREY JOHNSON -- IRISH OFFER!

Notre Dame Lacrosse on ESPNU Today!

The fourth seeded Fighting Irish of Notre Dame Men's Lacrosse team kicks off action in the NCAA Division 1 Men's Lacrosse Championships against unseeded Penn at 2:30 PM EST on ESPNU.  The First Round game is a "home" game for the Irish at Arlotta Stadium.  Here's a link to the media notes on today's game:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME vs. PENN -- NCAA TOURNAMENT

NATIONAL CHAMPS IN THE CLASSROOM!

The University of Notre Dame dominated the 2010 NCAA Graduation Success Rate -- National Rankings -- AGAIN!

MEN'S TEAMS -- NINE ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
-- Baseball at 100 tied for first with Boston College, Stanford, the U.S. Air Force Academy, Virginia and Wake Forest.
-- Men's basketball at 100 tied for first with BYU, Illinois, Marshall, Utah State, Wake Forest and Western Kentucky.
-- Men's cross country/track and field at 100 tied for first - with Central Florida, Miami (Fla.), Rice, Stanford, Tulane and Virginia Tech.
-- Men's fencing at 100 tied for first with Boston College, North Carolina, Rutgers and Stanford.
-- Men's golf at 100 tied for first with 39 other schools.
-- Men's lacrosse at 100 tied for first with Duke.
-- Men's soccer at 100 tied for first with Northwestern.
-- Men's swimming at 100 tied for first with nine other schools.
-- Football at 96 finished first - ahead of Duke and Northwestern at 95.
-- Hockey at 95 ranked second - behind the U.S. Air Force Academy at 96.


WOMEN'S TEAMS -- ELEVEN ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
-- Women's basketball at 100 tied for first with 29 other schools.
-- Women's cross country/track and field at 100 tied for first - with10 other schools.
-- Women's crew/rowing at 100 tied for first with Boston College, Duke, North Carolina, USC and Stanford.
-- Women's fencing at 100 tied for first with Boston College, Duke, North Carolina, Northwestern, Rutgers, Stanford and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
-- Women's golf at 100 tied for first with 62 other schools.
-- Women's lacrosse at 100 tied for first with Boston College, Connecticut, Duke, Northwestern, Ohio State, the U.S. Naval Academy, Vanderbilt and Virginia.
-- Women's soccer at 100 tied for first with 25 other schools.
-- Softball at 100 tied for first with 17 other schools.
-- Women's swimming at 100 tied for first with 28 other schools.
-- Women's tennis at 100 finished tied for first with 67 other schools.
-- Women's volleyball at 100 ranked tied for first with 42 other schools.

 
Here's a link to the story:  NATIONAL CHAMPS IN THE CLASSROOM!

CA Candidate Plays the "Rudy" Card In TV Spot

You can't make this stuff up!  A Californian by the name of Dan Adler hired Sean Astin (Rudy) to help him in his run for the U.S. Congress.  You've got to wonder why this former Creative Artists and Disney executive is using "Notre Dame" to sell Los Angeles area voters in the 36th District. 

Is he brilliant?

Thought Irish fans would get a kick out of this:

LINK:  PLAYING THE RUDY CARD

Irish Recruit -- 200 Meter National Champion!

The Fighting Irish received a commitment last month from Ronald Darby -- who just happens to be the NATIONAL CHAMPION in the Indoor 200 Meters.  Darby is also one of the top defensive backs in the Class of 2012 and will bring a "little speed" to the Bend.  Here's a link to his interview after winning the national title:

LINK:  RONALD DARBY -- NATIONAL CHAMPION

Notre Dame Offers a Freshman Football Star!

To show you how the game of recruiting has changed in college football -- word leaked yesterday that the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish had made a verbal offer to a high school freshman football star in Florida!  His name is Sony Michel -- and as an eighth grader he was clocked in the 100 meters at 10.9.  He's scheduled to graduate from American Heritage High School in Plantation, FL in June of 2014.  

Besides Notre Dame -- Florida State and Miami, FL have already made offers.  Here's a link to highlights of his eighth grade football season and his recent freshman football season.

LINK:  SONY MICHEL AS AN EIGHTH GRADER

LINK:  SONY MICHEL AS A NINTH GRADER